Starting Monday, residents in an area of West Austin slated to lose some bus service will have a new option to make their first- and last-mile trips.
Despite several years of steady declines, deadly vehicle crashes are on the rise, according to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The safest day to be on the road: Tuesday. The most dangerous? Saturday.
When you choose e-ride electric vehicles, you can save money on transportation and maintenance costs. Additionally, using a two-wheel electric e-ride vehicle helps you:
- Reduce air pollutants about 98% compared to gas-powered cars
- Have a convenient option for driving within work campuses, parks or universities, or for close-in commutes
- Increase visibility and awareness of electric transportation
Individual E-Ride Rebates Available
Austin Energy is offering eligible customers up to $300 to purchase a qualifying electric bike, scooter, moped, or motorcycle.
- If you want to purchase a two-wheel electric vehicle, review our electric ride guidelines (pdf) and participation steps (pdf).
- To apply for the rebate, download and complete the application form (pdf) and return to Austin Energy.
E-Ride Fleet Rebates Currently Available
Austin Energy is offering eligible businesses and organizations rebates of up to $400 per e-ride vehicles for fleets numbering five to 25 vehicles.
- To apply for the fleet rebate, download and complete the fleet application form (pdf) and return to Austin Energy.
Electric Ride (E-Ride) Options
Speeds on two-wheel electric vehicles can range from 10 mph to over 50 mph. How these two-wheel electric vehicles are powered can vary:
- All vehicles are powered with an electric motor.
- Some vehicles use a combination of human and electric power.
- Some vehicles, like the motorcycle, use only electric power.
Where to Purchase
All qualifying two-wheel vehicle purchases must be made through an Austin Energy-approved dealership (pdf) to qualify for a rebate. Approved dealers carry a variety of makes and models.
Stay Plugged In
- Follow us on Facebook for plug-in electric vehicle news, StEVie T-Rex sightings, and events
- Telephone: 512-494-9400
- Email: Plug-In Austin
- Activate your Plug-In EVerywhere membership
Learn More
Construction on the Westgate Transit Center and Park and Ride is scheduled to begin toward the end of summer and will transform the area underneath Ben White Boulevard between Manchaca Road and Pack Saddle Pass — directly across from Target — into a mobility hub.
Learn how Melissa commutes smarter, helping our region reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions!
- What mode(s) of travel do you use?
Rapid bus, 110 flyer, buses 10, and 1. My feet take me places, too. - Where do you commute to and from?
South Austin at William Cannon to Downtown Austin. - Why do you enjoy your commute?
Bus drivers are better drivers than I am. I have bad anxiety driving after a bad wreck back in 2009. I can arrive at my destination frazzle-free. - Why do you choose to use your sustainability commute?
I work downtown where traffic is at its worse, so taking the bus is the obvious choice for practical time management. It also makes me feel incredibly superior environmentally as well. - What is/are some of your biggest challenge(s) with your sustainable commute?
Staying up too late downtown, then trying to catch your typical bus can be confusing if the night owl buses take over. - What advice do you have for others that are interested in using a sustainable commuting option?
Download the CapMetro app, buy a pass, google CapMetro and select, “Plan your trip”. Select your starting and destination points to determine the best bus and go. It’s super easy and convenient to use the app.
Thanks Melissa, Commute Solutions loves that you are able to incorporate transit into your commute and hope that your story will inspire others to give it a try.
The new ADA accessible bus was paid for with a Federal Transportation Agency grant, specifically for the City’s senior transportation service. The vehicle seats 11 riders and is wheelchair accessible (can seat two wheelchair passengers).
The STAR program is offered by the City to transport independent ambulatory seniors.
The STAR program is offered by the City to transport independent ambulatory seniors.
Riding an electric scooter on the Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail, and other off-street park paths, is illegal, city officials say. But riding one of the stand-up scooters now available for rent around Austin is legal on most Austin vehicle lanes and in all bike lanes. And what about sidewalks, where the scooter riders are safest, but risk running into pedestrians?
There’s some new competition in the short-term vehicle rental market in Austin. California based Bird launched their dockless, electric scooters in Austin Thursday, targeting individuals who need a short “last-mile” trip that may be too long to walk, but too short to drive. As KVUE’s Jason Puckett tested out in the video above, the service works pretty well. Users simply download an app, put in a payment option and can then see all the devices across the city.
Despite transit’s strong safety record, the cultural stereotypes portraying it as crime-ridden and lawless persist. Such stereotypes make transit expansions more challenging and scare away would-be riders. Racism is often deeply embedded in these stereotypes, as a recent Google glitch regarding Atlanta’s MARTA system demonstrated. It is true that, in serving diverse cities and towns, transit systems may expose riders to people with different backgrounds than their own (which is a good thing). It’s inevitable that some transit passengers have criminal records. But issues that plague our society such as sexual harassment and violent crime adversely affect every member of the traveling public, regardless of their preferred mode of transportation.